PM Nawaz invites Modi to attend upcoming SAARC summit in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Pakistan has formally invited heads of states and governments – including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi – for the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit.

“The prime minister of Pakistan has invited the leaders of SAARC member states to grace the summit with their presence and is looking forward to welcome them in Islamabad,” said a statement, issued by the foreign office.

It said nine observers of SAARC have also been invited to attend the 19th SAARC summit, scheduled to be hosted by Islamabad on November 9 and 10.

The formal invitation was sent to Modi at a time when tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi are running high over recent unrest in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and Indian PM’s controversial statement on Balochistan.

Modi had reportedly ignored the warning of some senior bureaucrats against mentioning Balochistan while preparing last week’s annual Independence Day address.

That dimmed prospects of bringing the bitter rivals closer together to reduce economic pain and the risk of more violence in both countries.